Consolidation of existing signal transfer points in a telecommunication network

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to consolidation of STP pairs without deploying new STP pairs and without making changes at a Service Switching Point to reflect the consolidation. In one aspect, a method includes identifying a first pair of signal transfer point devices to be decommissioned from a telecommunication network; identifying a second pair of signal transfer point devices to assume, in part, functionalities of the first pair of signal transfer point devices, each signal transfer point device of the first pair and the second pair having at least one primary point code and at least one secondary point code assigning a temporary secondary point code to each signal transfer point device of the first pair; and modifying at least one secondary point code of each signal transfer point device of the second pair with a primary point code of at least one signal transfer point device of the first pair.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to telecommunication networksand, in particular, to management and consolidation of existing signaltransfer points within such telecommunication networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A telecommunication network, among other conventional and/or developedcomponents for operation thereof, may include multiple Signal TransferPoints (STPs). A Signal Transfer Point (STP) is a router that relaysSignal System 7 (SS7) messages between Signaling End-Points (SEPs) andother STPs. Typical SEPs include Service Switching Points (SSPs) andService Control Points (SCPs). An STP is typically connected to adjacentSEPs and STPs via signaling links or link sets. Based on the addressfields of the SS7 messages, the STP routes the messages to theappropriate outgoing signaling link.

As network capacity demands increase and voice traffic migrates fromTime Division Multiplexing (TDM) to Voice over IP (VoIP) based SignalInitiated Protocol (SIP), a common SS7 network project involvesconsolidation of STP Pairs in a network resulting in a reduced STPfootprint. Such a consolidation may involve decommissioning of one ormore pairs of STPs and rebuilding/replacing the same to be SIPcompatible using at least one other existing pair of STPs to perform orassume its functionalities. STPs are typically used in pairs, forpurposes of network redundancy and ensuring service continuity such thatno single point of failure in a network would negatively impactcommunication sessions and data transfers within the network. However,current methods of consolidation and decommissioning of STP pairs arecostly and time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more example embodiments of the present disclosure enableconsolidation of STP pairs without the need for a new STP pairdeployment and without making changes at a corresponding ServiceSwitching Point (SSP) to reflect the switch from an old/existing STPpair to a new STP pair.

In one aspect, a method of managing networked devices includesidentifying a first pair of signal transfer point devices to bedecommissioned from a telecommunication network; identifying a secondpair of signal transfer point devices to assume, in part,functionalities of the first pair of signal transfer point devices, eachsignal transfer point device of the first pair and the second pairhaving at least one primary point code and at least one secondary pointcode; assigning a temporary secondary point code to each signal transferpoint device of the first pair; and modifying at least one secondarypoint code of each signal transfer point device of the second pair witha primary point code of at least one signal transfer point device of thefirst pair.

In another aspect, the method further includes removing the temporarysecond point code of each signal transfer point device of the first pairafter modifying the at least one secondary point code of each signaltransfer point device of the second pair with the primary point code ofthe at least one signal transfer point device of the first pair.

In another aspect, the temporary secondary point code is unique to acorresponding signal transfer point device of the first pair to which itis assigned.

In another aspect, the method further includes activating, on eachsignal transfer point device of the first pair and the second pair andprior to assigning the temporary secondary point code to each signaltransfer point device of the first pair, a multiple point code feature.

In another aspect, each signal transfer point device of the first pairand the second pair are located in different geographical locations.

In another aspect, modifying the at least one secondary point code ofeach signal transfer point device of the second pair is a per link setprocess.

In another aspect, each link set connects one signal transfer pointdevice of the first pair to a different signal transfer point device ofthe second pair.

In one aspect, a network controller is configured to manage networkeddevices. The network controller includes memory having computer-readableinstructions stored therein; and one or more processors. The one or moreprocessors are configured to execute the computer-readable instructionsto identify a first pair of signal transfer point devices to bedecommissioned from a telecommunication network; identify a second pairof signal transfer point devices to assume, in part, functionalities ofthe first pair of signal transfer point devices, each signal transferpoint device of the first pair and the second pair having at least oneprimary point code and at least one secondary point code; assign atemporary secondary point code to each signal transfer point device ofthe first pair; and modify at least one secondary point code of eachsignal transfer point device of the second pair with a primary pointcode of at least one signal transfer point device of the first pair.

In one aspect, one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediainclude computer-readable instructions, which when executed by one ormore processors of a network controller, cause the network controller toidentify a first pair of signal transfer point devices to bedecommissioned from a telecommunication network; identify a second pairof signal transfer point devices to assume, in part, functionalities ofthe first pair of signal transfer point devices, each signal transferpoint device of the first pair and the second pair having at least oneprimary point code and at least one secondary point code; assign atemporary secondary point code to each signal transfer point device ofthe first pair; and modify at least one secondary point code of eachsignal transfer point device of the second pair with a primary pointcode of at least one signal transfer point device of the first pair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the technology of the presentdisclosure will be apparent from the following description of particularembodiments of those technologies, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily toscale; however the emphasis instead is being placed on illustrating theprinciples of the technological concepts. The drawings depict onlytypical embodiments of the present disclosure and, therefore, are not tobe considered limiting in scope.

FIG. 1 illustrates consolidation of STP pairs according to one aspect ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates example network architecture for implementing theconsolidation process, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 describes an STP consolidation method, according to an aspect ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a computing system whichmay be used in implementing examples of the present disclosure,according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various example embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detailbelow. While specific implementations are discussed, it should beunderstood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A personskilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components andconfigurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. Thus, the following description and drawings areillustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specificdetails are described to provide a thorough understanding of thedisclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventionaldetails are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description.References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can bereferences to the same embodiment or any embodiment; and, suchreferences mean at least one of the embodiments.

Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Theappearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment,nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may beexhibited by some embodiments and not by others.

Without intent to limit the scope of the disclosure, examples ofinstruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according tothe embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note thattitles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of areader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unlessotherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have themeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the presentdocument, including definitions will control.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forthin the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosedprinciples. The features and advantages of the disclosure can berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and otherfeatures of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from thefollowing description and appended claims, or can be learned by thepractice of the principles set forth herein

As noted above, one or more example embodiments of the presentdisclosure enable consolidation of STP pairs without the need for a newSTP pair deployment and without making changes at a correspondingService Switching Point (SSP) to reflect the switch from an old/existingSTP pair to a new STP pair. An STP or a pair of STPs may also bereferred to as an STP device or a pair of STP devices, respectively.

A typical STP may be a physical location at which known and necessaryequipment for enabling transmission and relay of signals in acommunication network are installed. Such equipment can include, but arenot limited to, TDM equipment, switches, routers, monitoring equipment,etc. Known methods for consolidations of SIPS involve changes to manySTPs and end office SSPs, or the installation of a new STP pair with thecapability of supporting a secondary point code.

An STP can have multiple point codes, which is essentially an address bywhich an STP is identified within a telecommunication network. STPs cantherefore have implemented thereon, a feature that may be referred to asMultiple Point Codes (MPCs). MPC allows an STP to be configured with oneTrue Point Codes (TPCs) as well as multiple Secondary Point Codes(SPCs). Utilization of TPCs and SPCs allow for collapsing/consolidating(decommissioning) an STP pair into another existing STP pair within thenetwork.

FIG. 1 illustrates consolidation of STP pairs in a telecommunicationsenvironment 100. In particular, the network environment 100 of FIG. 1illustrates a portion of a telecommunications network that may includeadditional network components. In general, the environment 100 providesfor establishing communication sessions between network users and forproviding one or more network services to network users. For example,users may utilize the network 102 to communicate via the network usingcommunication devices, such as telephone devices and/or mobilecommunication devices. In another example, the network environment 100may facilitate communications between networks managed or administeredby separate entities. In one specific example, the environment 100includes an IP network, which may be provided by a wholesale networkservice provider. However, it should be appreciated that portions of thenetwork may include non IP-based routing, such as devices utilizing timedivision multiplexing (TDM) or plain old telephone service (POTS)switching. In general, the network 100 of FIG. 1 may include anycommunication network devices known or hereafter developed.

The telecommunications network 100 includes numerous components such as,but not limited to gateways, routers, route reflectors, and registrars,which enable communication and/or provides services across the network,but are not shown or described in detail here because those skilled inthe art will readily understand these components. In the partialdepiction of a telecommunication network 100 shown in FIG. 1, networkcomponent 102 (which or any networking device) communicates with SSP 103via STP 104 and STP 106. STP 104 and STP 106 form an STP pair of thenetwork 100. In this example, a network administrator may intend toupdate the network 100 by replacing STP 104 and STP 106 (old STP pair)with STP 108 and STP 110 (New STP pair). In other words, STP 104 and STP106 are to be decommissioned and the functionalities thereof transferredto the STP pair of STP 108 and STP 110. In FIG. 1, the communicationlink sets 112 between network component 102, STP 104, STP 106 and SSP103 are shown using solid lines while link sets 114 between networkcomponent 100, STP 108, STP 110 and SSP 103 are shown using brokenlines.

In this example, STP 104 has a TPC (e.g., 2-2-1) and STP 106 has a TPC(e.g., 2-2-2). To implement the replacement of the old STP pair with thenew STP pair, TPC of STP 108 is set to TPC of STP 104 (i.e., 2-2-1) andTPC of STP 110 is set to TPC of STP 106. Using the same TPC requiresthat STP pair of 108 and 110 have no communication link sets to the STPpair of 104 and 106, which is not usually the case in a typicaltelecommunication network. Because of this, the method for consolidationof STP pairs generally includes a costly new STP pair deployment, or inthe common case where communication link sets pre-exist between thesepairs, the TPCs or SPCs must be different, requiring a manualreconfiguration at SSP 103 to implement the change to signal to adifferent set of TPCs, which within the context and scale of a largetelecommunication network, constitutes unnecessary cost and introducesinefficiency in resource usage and management.

The above consolidation objective can be achieved without the need for anew STP pair deployment and without making changes at SSP 103 to reflectthe switch from the old STP pair to the new STP pair.

FIG. 2 illustrates example network architecture for implementing theconsolidation process, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, a partial depiction of atelecommunications network 200 includes three adjacent STP pairs,namely, STP pair 202, STP pair 204 and STP pair 206, which may be allconnected, directly or indirectly, to SSP 208. In the particular andnon-limiting example described herein with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3,STP pair 204 is to be decommissioned into STP pair 206. Therefore, STPpair 206 may also be referred to as the surviving STP pair 206.

Communication between STP pairs in FIG. 2 is shown using dash lines andsolid lines. Solid lines 210 indicate current links between the devicesand paths from STP pair 202, STP pair 204 and SSP 208. Communicationsfrom and to STP pair 204 are to be consolidated into (transferredto/diverted to) STP pair 206 after consolidation, and therefore areshown using dash lines 212.

In general, each of STP pairs 202, 204, and 206 include two STPs (hencethe term STP pair). For example, STP pair 202 includes STPs 202-1 and202-2, STP pair 204 includes STP 204-1 and 204-2, and STP pair 206includes STP 206-1 and 206-2. In one example, each of the STPs shown inFIG. 2 (whether belonging to the same STP pair or not) may be physicallylocated in different geographical regions (such as cities, states,countries, continents, etc.).

In the non-limiting example of FIG. 2, STP 202-1 has TPC 9-9-1 while STP202-2 has TPC 9-9-2. Such TPCs such as 9-9-1 or 9-9-2 are in exampleformats and not limited to this exact representation. STPs 202-1 and202-2 may each have more than one TPC as well as multiple SPCs. However,discussion of corresponding SPCs for STPs 202-1 and 202-2 are omitted asthey are unnecessary for purposes of describing example embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

In the non-limiting example of FIG. 2, STP 204-1 and STP 204-2 have TPCs1-1-1 and 1-1-2 as well as SPCs X-X-X and Y-Y-Y, respectively. Theseexample TPCs and SPCs of STPs 204-1 and 204-2 will be further referencedin describing FIG. 3. Telecommunication network 200 can also include anetwork controller 116 for managing and controlling operations thereof.Controller 116 can be a single network component accessible by a networkoperator or may be virtual network component accessible via any type ofknown or to be developed end terminal such as a laptop, a desktop, amobile device, etc. Communication between various components of network200 can be based on any known or to be developed wired and/or wirelesscommunication method.

In the non-limiting example of FIG. 2, STP 206-1 and STP 206-2 have TPCs2-2-1 and 2-2-2 as well as SPCs 1-1-1 and 1-1-2, respectively. Theseexample TPCs and SPCs of STPs 204-1 and 204-2 will be further referencedin describing FIG. 3.

As described above, each one of STPs shown in FIG. 2 can have a multiplepoint code feature that can be activated and the present disclosurerelies on this feature for enabling the consolidation being describedherein.

One example objective of the present disclosure is enablingdecommissioning of STP pair 204 and consolidating STP pair 204 intoexisting STP pair 206 without the need for making provisioning changesat SSP 208 or SCP of telecommunication network 200 (not shown). Detailsof this objective will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

While a specific example of decommissioning STP pair 204 andconsolidating it into existing STP pair 206 is being described here, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto and can be applied todecommissioning of any one or more pairs of STPs and consolidating thesame into other existing STP pairs within a telecommunication network.

FIG. 3 describes an STP consolidation method, according to an aspect ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 3 will be described from the perspective ofnetwork controller 116. However, it will be understood that networkcontroller 116 can have one or more associated memories havingcomputer-readable instructions, which can be executed by one or moreassociated processors to implement the functionalities of FIG. 3.

At operation S300, network controller 116 can identify first and secondpair of STPs. A first pair of STPs can be the pair to be decommissionedand the second pair of STPs can be the pair to assume, in addition toalready assigned functionalities, the functionalities of STPs of thefirst pair. Here and for purposes of describing examples of FIGS. 2 and3, STP pair 204 is the first pair (to be decommissioned) and STP pair206 is the second pair (to assume, in part, functionalities of STPs204-1 and 204-2 of STP pair 204). This identification can be forexample, based on an input received from a network operatorcommunication, using any known method, with network controller 116.

At operation S302, network controller 116 can activate the multiplepoint code or MPC feature on STP pair(s) to be decommissioned as well assurviving STP pairs (on each STP of first pair and second pairidentified at operation S300). In this non-limiting example, atoperation S300, network controller 116 can activate MPC feature on STP204-1, STP 204-2, STP 206-1 and STP 206-2.

At operation S304, network controller 116 assigns a unique and temporarysecondary point code (SPC) to each STP of the first pair to bedecommissioned, which in this non-limiting example, are STPs 204-1 and204-2. An example temporary and unique SPC assigned to STP 204-1 isX-X-X and an example temporary and unique SPC assigned to STP 204-2 isY-Y-Y, as described above with reference to FIG. 2.

Operation S306 is to be performed per link set basis. As noted above, alink set is a connection between any one of STPs to be decommissionedand any one of surviving STPs. As shown in FIG. 2, there are 4 link setsbetween STPs 204-1, 204-2, 206-1 and 206-2 (4 solid lines 210 betweenSTPs 204-1, 204-2 and STPs 206-1 and 206-2).

At operation S306 and one link set at a time (per link set basis) in theappropriate surviving STP, network controller 116 performs a linkdeactivation for each link in a link set, link set modification tochange to use the temporary and unique SPC, and link reactivation foreach link in a link set. For example, in STP 206-1 network controller116 deactivates links in link set 210 between STP 206-1 and STP 204-1,modifies this same link set to use the SPC of STP 204-1 (i.e., X-X-X)and then reactivates the links in link set 210 between STP 206-1 and STP204-1. In STP 204-1, network controller 116 changes the destinationaddress for 206-1 such that link set 210 between STP 204-1 and 206-1uses the SPC of STP 204-1 (i.e., X-X-X) as the originating addressassignment in messages across this link set. At the next iteration, inSTP 206-1 network controller 116 deactivates links in link set 210between STP 206-1 and STP 204-2, modifies this same link set to use theSPC of STP 204-2 (i.e., Y-Y-Y) and then reactivates the links in linkset 210 between STP 206-1 and STP 204-2. In STP 204-2, networkcontroller 116 changes the destination address for 206-1 such that linkset 210 between 204-2 and 206-1 uses the SPC of STP 204-2 (i.e., Y-Y-Y)as the originating address assignment in messages across this link set.At the next iteration, in STP 206-2 network controller 116 deactivateslinks in link set 210 between STP 206-2 and STP 204-1, modifies thissame link set to use the SPC of STP 204-1 (i.e., X-X-X) and thenreactivates the links in link set 210 between STP 206-2 and STP 204-1.In STP 204-1, network controller 116 changes the destination address for206-2 such that link set 210 between 204-1 and 206-2 uses the SPC of STP204-1 (i.e., X-X-X) as the originating address assignment in messagesacross this link set. At the next iteration, in STP 206-2 networkcontroller 116 deactivates links in link set 210 between STP 206-2 andSTP 204-2, modifies this same link set to use the SPC of STP 204-2(i.e., Y-Y-Y) and then reactivates the links in link set 210 between STP206-2 and STP 204-2. In STP 204-2, network controller 116 changes thedestination address for 206-2 such that link set 210 between 204-2 and206-2 uses the SPC of STP 204-2 (i.e., Y-Y-Y) as the originating addressassignment in messages across this link set.

At operation S308, network controller 116 determines if all link setshave been covered. If not, the process reverts back to S306 and networkcontroller 116 repeats S306 as described above. Once all link sets arecovered, then at operation S310, network controller 116 modifiessurviving STPs, STP 206-1 and STP 206-2, to remove old link setprovisioning associated with the TPCs of 204-1 (i.e., 1-1-1) and TPC of204-2 (i.e., 1-1-2). Once removed, network controller 116 modifiessurviving STPs, STP 206-1 and 206-2, to add the TPC of 204-1 (i.e.,1-1-1) as a SPC of 206-1, and add the TPC of 204-2 (i.e., 1-1-2) as aSPC of 206-2. Thereafter, the method ends.

Upon completion of the method of FIG. 3, subsequent network facilitymigrations away from STP pair 204 may be performed as deemed fit byoperators of telecommunication network 200. For example, physicallocations of STPs 204-1 and 204-2 may be visited and equipment installedtherein, which have been decommissioned, may be disassembled and takenfor further use, reuse, etc. As part of the decommissioning of STPs204-1 and 204-2, provisioning associated with link set 210 and thetemporary SPCs will be removed from STP pair 206.

By implementing the above example embodiments, the following advantagesmay be achieved. First, capital and operational expenses associated witha new STP Pair deployment may be avoided. Second, SSP and SCPprovisioning changes requirement are eliminated. Third, STP provisioningchanges are minimized. Fourth, flexibility of a simplified phasedconsolidation is provided.

The disclosure now turns to description of example systems that can beused as any one of network controller 116, any one of STPs shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 and described above, SSP 208, etc.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a computing system whichmay be used in implementing examples of the present disclosure,according to one aspect of the present disclosure. is an example of FIG.4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing device orcomputer system 400 which may be used in implementing the embodiments ofthe network disclosed above. In particular, the computing device of FIG.4 is one embodiment of the server or other networking component thatperforms one of more of the operations described above. The computersystem (system) includes one or more processors 402-406. Processors402-406 may include one or more internal levels of cache (not shown) anda bus controller or bus interface unit to direct interaction with theprocessor bus 412. Processor bus 412, also known as the host bus or thefront side bus, may be used to couple the processors 402-406 with thesystem interface 414. System interface 414 may be connected to theprocessor bus 412 to interface other components of the system 400 withthe processor bus 412. For example, system interface 414 may include amemory controller 418 for interfacing a main memory 416 with theprocessor bus 412. The main memory 416 typically includes one or morememory cards and a control circuit (not shown). System interface 414 mayalso include an input/output (I/O) interface 420 to interface one ormore I/O bridges or I/O devices with the processor bus 412. One or moreI/O controllers and/or I/O devices may be connected with the I/O bus426, such as I/O controller 428 and I/O device 430, as illustrated.

I/O device 430 may also include an input device (not shown), such as analphanumeric input device, including alphanumeric and other keys forcommunicating information and/or command selections to the processors402-406. Another type of user input device includes cursor control, suchas a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicatingdirection information and command selections to the processors 402-406and for controlling cursor movement on the display device.

System 400 may include a dynamic storage device, referred to as mainmemory 416, or a random access memory (RAM) or other computer-readabledevices coupled to the processor bus 412 for storing information andinstructions to be executed by the processors 402-406. Main memory 416also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediateinformation during execution of instructions by the processors 402-406.System 400 may include a read only memory (ROM) and/or other staticstorage device coupled to the processor bus 412 for storing staticinformation and instructions for the processors 402-406. The system setforth in FIG. 4 is but one possible example of a computer system thatmay employ or be configured in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure.

According to one embodiment, the above techniques may be performed bycomputer system 400 in response to processor 404 executing one or moresequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 416.These instructions may be read into main memory 416 from anothermachine-readable medium, such as a storage device. Execution of thesequences of instructions contained in main memory 416 may causeprocessors 402-406 to perform the process steps described herein. Inalternative embodiments, circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with the software instructions. Thus, embodiments of thepresent disclosure may include both hardware and software components.

A machine readable medium includes any mechanism for storing ortransmitting information in a form (e.g., software, processingapplication) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). Such media maytake the form of, but is not limited to, non-volatile media and volatilemedia. Non-volatile media includes optical or magnetic disks. Volatilemedia includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 416. Common forms ofmachine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, magneticstorage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g.,CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); randomaccess memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM andEEPROM); flash memory; or other types of medium suitable for storingelectronic instructions.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include various steps, which aredescribed in this specification. The steps may be performed by hardwarecomponents or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, whichmay be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processorprogrammed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively,the steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software and/orfirmware.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer toparticular features, the scope of this invention also includesembodiments having different combinations of features and embodimentsthat do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, and variations together with allequivalents thereof.

We claim:
 1. A method of managing networked devices, the methodcomprising: identifying a first pair of signal transfer point devices tobe decommissioned from a telecommunication network; identifying a secondpair of signal transfer point devices to assume, in part,functionalities of the first pair of signal transfer point devices, eachsignal transfer point device of the first pair and the second pairhaving at least one primary point code and at least one secondary pointcode; assigning a temporary secondary point code to each signal transferpoint device of the first pair; activating, on each signal transferpoint device of the first pair and the second pair and prior toassigning the temporary secondary point code to each signal transferpoint device of the first pair, a multiple point code feature; andmodifying at least one secondary point code of each signal transferpoint device of the second pair with a primary point code of at leastone signal transfer point device of the first pair.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: removing the temporary second point code ofeach signal transfer point device of the first pair after modifying theat least one secondary point code of each signal transfer point deviceof the second pair with the primary point code of the at least onesignal transfer point device of the first pair.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the temporary secondary point code is unique to acorresponding signal transfer point device of the first pair to which itis assigned.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein each signal transferpoint device of the first pair and the second pair are located indifferent geographical locations.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein themodifying the at least one secondary point code of each signal transferpoint device of the second pair is a per link set process.
 6. The methodof claim 5, wherein each link set connects one signal transfer pointdevice of the first pair to a different signal transfer point device ofthe second pair.
 7. A network controller configured to manage networkeddevices, the network controller comprising: memory havingcomputer-readable instructions stored therein; and one or moreprocessors configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to:identify a first pair of signal transfer point devices to bedecommissioned from a telecommunication network; identify a second pairof signal transfer point devices to assume, in part, functionalities ofthe first pair of signal transfer point devices, each signal transferpoint device of the first pair and the second pair having at least oneprimary point code and at least one secondary point code; assign atemporary secondary point code to each signal transfer point device ofthe first pair; activate, on each signal transfer point device of thefirst pair and the second pair and prior to assigning the temporarysecondary point code to each signal transfer point device of the firstpair, a multiple point code feature; and modify at least one secondarypoint code of each signal transfer point device of the second pair witha primary point code of at least one signal transfer point device of thefirst pair.
 8. The network controller of claim 7, wherein the one ormore processors are further configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to remove the temporary second point code of each signaltransfer point device of the first pair after modifying the at least onesecondary point code of each signal transfer point device of the secondpair with the primary point code of the at least one signal transferpoint device of the first pair.
 9. The network controller of claim 7,wherein the temporary secondary point code is unique to a correspondingsignal transfer point device of the first pair to which it is assigned.10. The network controller of claim 7, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to execute the computer-readableinstructions to activate, on each signal transfer point device of thefirst pair and the second pair and prior to assigning the temporarysecondary point code to each signal transfer point device of the firstpair, a multiple point code feature.
 11. The network controller of claim7, wherein modifying the at least one secondary point code of eachsignal transfer point device of the second pair is a per link setprocess.
 12. The network controller of claim 11, wherein each link setconnects one signal transfer point device of the first pair to adifferent signal transfer point device of the second pair.
 13. One ormore non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computer-readableinstructions, which when executed by one or more processors of a networkcontroller, cause the network controller to: identify a first pair ofsignal transfer point devices to be decommissioned from atelecommunication network; identify a second pair of signal transferpoint devices to assume, in part, functionalities of the first pair ofsignal transfer point devices, each signal transfer point device of thefirst pair and the second pair having at least one primary point codeand at least one secondary point code; assign a temporary secondarypoint code to each signal transfer point device of the first pair;activate, on each signal transfer point device of the first pair and thesecond pair and prior to assigning the temporary secondary point code toeach signal transfer point device of the first pair, a multiple pointcode feature; and modify at least one secondary point code of eachsignal transfer point device of the second pair with a primary pointcode of at least one signal transfer point device of the first pair. 14.The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13,wherein the execution of the computer-readable instructions by the oneor more processors, further cause the network controller to thetemporary second point code of each signal transfer point device of thefirst pair after modifying the at least one secondary point code of eachsignal transfer point device of the second pair with the primary pointcode of the at least one signal transfer point device of the first pair.15. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13,wherein the temporary secondary point code is unique to a correspondingsignal transfer point device of the first pair to which it is assigned.16. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13,wherein modifying the at least one secondary point code of each signaltransfer point device of the second pair is a per link set process. 17.The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16,wherein each link set connects one signal transfer point device of thefirst pair to a different signal transfer point device of the secondpair.